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Ed Franklin Tours
San Francisco City Tour
A four hour visit to the classic and most popular sites in San Francisco. We visit Chinatown, Cliff House, Alamo Square, Nob Hill, Haight Ashbury, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Twin Peaks. A great introduction to San Francisco that will not be soon forgotten. Easily arranged to begin or end near the City’s famous Cable Cars.
Cliff House and Sutro Baths
A two hour walking tour of western San Francisco covering the history of the great entrepreneur and mayor, Adolph Sutro. Our tour begins at Land’s End, offering sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean, away from downtown noise and bustle. We visit the remains of his estate and grounds, his famous baths, and the many Cliff Houses. The tour also covers San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach (and its connection to Disney), Native American encampments, and then we finish with a drop dead view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Presidio Exploration
Nestled amongst the urban landscape of San Francisco, the Presidio is the most visited national park in America. We will discuss not only the military and political history of the Presidio while exploring its natural springs, forests, and hiking trails. The tour ends at a friendly coffee house overlooking Golden Gate Bridge.
Wine Country
Leave San Francisco behind and head up the rolling hills and sunshine of Sonoma County. Visit beautifully designed wineries to understand how grapes are grown, how wines are made, and the state of the business today. Then visit the quaint town of Sonoma for lunch, site of the last California Mission and the Bear Rebellion that brought California out of Mexico. Six hour minimum due to travel time.
Haight Ashbury
Has it really been 50 years? See where the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin lived. Go into head shops and clothing stores to relive the experience. Learn how and why the Haight Ashbury came to be, and its important connection to the Beatniks. Visit Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park.
Japan Town (Nihon Machi)
With only three Japan Towns in the United States, San Francisco’s is the largest. We walk the neighborhood visiting temples, stores, and restaurants. The tour discusses regional Japanese cuisine (more than sushi), Japanese culture (why tea sets come with five cups), and how the neighborhood evolved. Learn the history of the Evacuation Movement of World War Two stripping Japanese American citizens of their rights, and how the post war role of African Americans and the rise of jazz further shaped today’s Japan Town story.
The Castro
How did a quiet neighborhood of mostly Irish immigrants and their ancestors become the national center of gay rights in America? Who was Harvey Milk and how a commercial development on Fisherman’s Wharf impact his legacy? How did the AIDS epidemic of the 80’s and 90’s affect the neighborhood? Today, the Castro is a destination for all, with great food and sophisticated shopping. Join as we explore the history, the Victorian houses, and the ambience of one the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Silicon Valley Tour
Apple, Intel, Facebook, Google – companies that affect everyone, every day. How did they get here? And why all the startups in one place? Come take a tour with someone who has 30 plus years’ experience in Silicon Valley working for technology companies. From the early days of Hewlett and Packard in their Palo Alto garage, through the evolution of the PC’s and cell phone platforms, to today’s Search and Social Media markets, we will touch on all of it. Stops along the way include Apple, Intel, and Stanford Campus. We will also pass by other well-known technology companies who, for security reasons, do not allow visitors. The tour also includes first hand stories about starting and taking a company public, as well as life working for one of the giants.
More Tours and Location Services
Want to go to John Muir Woods, Sausalito, Gold Country, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or Monterey? Want to visit, hike, kayak? Does your group have special needs? Just let us know.
We also can offer experience helping TV and film crews with location services and local knowledge. Just contact us to discuss your needs.